We're on again for the middle day of the Play-In Round. First up...
Kraft Forum, Royal: Katelynn v. Vincent. The green cue shoots 12-ball in the daily opener. Everton's Vincent couldn't get any offense going in game 1, cracking quickly against Royal's Katelynn, who easily took the win for a 1-0 series lead. The Crowns' Katelynn remained strong in game 2, but not enough this time as the Eagles' Vincent stepped up. Vincent's defense at the bottom right was the difference to help him tie the series at 1. Both players had a good effort in game 3, but a pair on the break for Vincent combined with Katelynn's early scratch sent the visitor Vincent to a 2-1 series win.
Nike Field Events Center, Commerce: Tigerette v. Twinkie III. Longtime Urban rivals keep the green cue active for 8-ball. Commerce's Tigerette put on an entertaining game 1, countering Whitewater's Twinkie III with a three-ball run-out in the close battle. Tigerette leads the series 1-0. The Tradewinds' Tigerette attacked a little stronger in game 2 with a five-ball run. The Shores' Twinkie III couldn't keep up with that, and Tigerette added a pair for the win to clinch the series at 2-0. Tigerette had another good start to game 3, but she faded late this time, and Twinkie III stole the win on a three-ball run-out. Tigerette settled for a 2-1 series win.
Home Depot Forum, Web City: Cubby v. Stephanie. In 13-ball, the silver cue gets a look. Neither player had it easy in game 1, but Web City's Cubby had better positioning than Southridge's Stephanie and used it to his advantage. Cubby would go unchallenged in the win, taking a 1-0 series lead. The Defenders' Stephanie had an even worse time in game 2, failing to legally sink a single ball as the Spiders' Cubby cruised to the decisive win in a series he now leads 2-0. Stephanie put up a better effort in game 3, but she was denied once again as Cubby roared to a three-ball run-out to secure the 3-0 series sweep.
Pepsi Arena, Lighton: Acorn v. Citrus. The captain and the outspoken star of the Prestige clash in this 12-ball battle with the red cue. Acorn started well on the break in game 1, only for Citrus to unleash a four-ball run. Citrus was out of position, and Acorn made no mistakes in the late game, surging back for the win and 1-0 series lead. Acorn needed only three turns in game 2 despite giving away a wild-card ball. His middle turn was a three-ball run that sent Citrus scrambling for a miracle run that never came. Acorn's win sealed the series at 2-0. Acorn again gave away a wild-card ball in game 3, and this one cost him the sweep, as Citrus controlled play and got her lone win in a 2-1 series.
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Peach v. Cubby. The green cue is back for 7-ball in its last appearance today. North Modernistic's Peach had the edge on offense in game 1, and she used it well to defeat Web City's Cubby for the 1-0 series lead. The Nighthawks' Peach made three balls on the game 2 break, but it wouldn't be enough. The Spiders' Cubby converted the 2-7 combination to the top left on his second shot, with the 2 also going to the bottom left as an added bonus. This tied the series at 1. Peach and Cubby again kept things close in game 3, but Peach won with a three-ball run-out that featured a hard cut on the 7 to the bottom left. Peach claimed the series 2-1.
Intel Center, Diamond: Debby v. Hoot. The red cue is back for 15-ball between these experienced players. Diamond's Debby had a shaky style at times, while Viewpoint Sound's Hoot showed some skill with a four-ball run. Hoot couldn't finish the effort, and Debby struck the 15 to the bottom right for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Gems' Debby had a little flair for offense early in game 2, but the ending was a painful battle with as many hits as misses. The Meteors' Hoot benefited here, taking the 15 at the bottom side to tie the series at 1. Debby again showed some muscle on offense in game 3, only to unravel by the end when Hoot picked off the 15 at the top right. Hoot advances with a 2-1 series win.
Apple Center, Todavía: Bells v. Wild Thing. Two of Oriental United's players clash in 8-ball with the blue cue. Todavía's Bells had a deep six-ball run in game 1, but the steady offense of Stonebridge's Wild Thing prevailed when Bells couldn't pot the 8. Wild Thing leads the series 1-0. The Wolves' Wild Thing unleashed an intimidating five-ball run in game 2, but a later scratch stalled his progress. The Stills' Bells would get the win on a three-ball run-out, tying the series at 1. Wild Thing again used a five-ball run in game 3, and again suffered a devastating scratch. Bells had about a quarter-inch of clearance for the 8, which she put in the top left for the win and 2-1 series win.
Honda Driftwood Coliseum, Pearl: Boots v. Celestia. Coastal rivals bring the day to half completion in 13-ball with the red cue. Pearl's Boots took stripes on the break, but Oceanside's Celestia did brilliant work with positioning on solids to get the win and 1-0 series lead. The Surfers' Boots looked to have the advantage in game 2 near the end, but the Waves' Celestia hit a tough shot on the 6 to the top side on the second of her three-ball run-out for the win to seal the series at 2-0. Celestia made a pair of stripes on the break, but her offense soon stalled in game 3, allowing Boots to fill the void and earn her lone win of the 2-1 series.
Cisco Arena, Tysini: Sarah v. Megan. The league's newest pair of cousins plays head-to-head for the first time in 10-ball with the silver cue. Tysini's Sarah wasn't bad in game 1, but Oceanside's Megan attacked well and finished by double-potting the 9 and 10 to the left corners. Megan leads the series 1-0. The Hummingbirds' Sarah asserted herself late in game 2, unleashing a seven-ball run-out to stun the younger Waves' Megan. Sarah's beastly attack tied the series at 1. Megan returned fire with a five-ball run in game 3, but her offense dried up after that. Sarah posted a four-ball run and later added the 10 to get the win for a 2-1 series win.
IBM Cathedral, North Modernistic: Gizmo v. Snowball. It's time for 9-ball up north. North Modernistic's Gizmo had too many scratches in game 1, and Swordpoint's Snowball turned those free possessions into a win when she deflected off the 6 to take the 9 at the bottom side. Snowball leads the series 1-0. The Blades' Snowball carved out a five-ball run in game 2, but the Nighthawks' Gizmo two-rail kicked the 8 to the bottom side and added the 9 at the top side for the win to tie the series at 1. In game 3, Gizmo rallied for a four-ball run early in game 3, but it wouldn't matter when Snowball closed out the effort with a pair. Snowball won the series 2-1 as well.
Samsung Arena, Whitewater: Shaggy v. Marissa. A captain and a rookie tangle in Rotation with the silver cue. Whitewater's Shaggy had a fairly strong game 1, including a three-ball run-out to finish off the 8-4 win over Maplewood's Marissa. Shaggy leads the series 1-0. The Shores' Shaggy had a rough start to game 2, and wasn't able to gain control later on. The Lumberjacks' Marissa had a double-pot early on and a three-ball run-out for the 8-5 win to tie the series at 1. Shaggy trailed early in game 3, but Marissa wasted some big opportunities. Shaggy punished that with a three-ball run-out for the 8-6 win to seal the series at 2-1, which came against her 100th unique opponent.
Verizon Field Events Center, Pacific: Cowzart v. Shadow. The purple cue's lone series today is in 15-ball. Pacific's Cowzart had a three-ball run at the start of game 1, which Diamond's Shadow matched in the middle and then bested with a five-ball run-out. Shadow leads the series 1-0. The Gems' Shadow turned a fairly even game 2 into one tipped in his favor with a majority of the late possession. The Volcanoes' Cowzart slipped too far, and Shadow made the final pair to clinch the series at 2-0. Shadow had a spectacular game 3, getting one ball on the break and using a decoy 1-8 combination effort to deflect the cue back to take the 15 at the bottom side for the win and 3-0 series sweep.
Ford Forum, Pronger: Potter v. Celestia. The visitor's second series today is in 9-ball with the red cue. Oceanside's Celestia got a little lucky on her initial five-ball run in game 1, but couldn't add on later. Pronger's Potter responded to win on a three-ball run-out for a 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Celestia spread her offense out over many turns in game 2, a strategy that somehow worked as the Tridents' Potter failed to connect on much of anything. Celestia's win tied the series at 1. Potter had a four-ball run early on, which Celestia answered with a three-ball run. Celestia would later get a chance on the 9, but she left it short, and Potter sank it at the bottom left for a 2-1 series win.
AT&T Hall, Oceanside: Snuggle v. Strawberry. The blue cue has the last three series today, beginning with this 15-ball set. Oceanside's Snuggle was decent at first, but Victoria's Strawberry applied pressure with a five-ball run. She'd later add the final pair of shots, which gave Strawberry a 1-0 series lead. The Waves' Snuggle had plenty of chances in game 2, but a late scratch doomed him, setting the Spurs' Strawberry to take the 15 at the bottom left. She converted and secured the series at 2-0 in the process. Strawberry had another solid performance in game 3, but a shaky finish allowed Snuggle to nab a win, leaving the visitor to settle for a 2-1 series win.
Gillette Center, Swordpoint: Stealth v. Sleepy B. Experienced opponents meet in 9-ball with the blue cue. Swordpoint's Stealth did everything but win in game 1, taking eight balls over two shots but leaving the 9 at the bottom left. Archtown's Sleepy B. played the poacher role fine, taking the win and 1-0 series lead. The Arrows' Sleepy B. was the one to botch a late attempt to win in game 2, leaving the 9 at the top left. The Blades' Stealth happily potted it after another strong showing was only enough to tie the series at 1. Stealth would strike quickly in game 3, a 1-9 combination to the top left helping him complete the comeback for a 2-1 series win over Sleepy B.
Volkswagen Stadium Events Center, Viewpoint Sound: Cobalt v. Jennifer. A two-day event on the coast begins with today's finale in 8-ball with the blue cue. Viewpoint Sound's Cobalt had a six-ball run end with an illegally potted ball, which set Terrace City's Jennifer up for her own six-ball run. Jennifer twice missed the 8, and Cobalt drained it for the win and 1-0 series lead. The Meteors' Cobalt had a fireball-like six-ball run in game 2 at the start. The Knights' Jennifer managed a five-ball run in response, but butchered her last stripe. Cobalt then made a pair for the win to seal the series at 2-0. Jennifer wouldn't leave empty-handed, taking the win in a much closer game 3 battle that saw Cobalt settle for a 2-1 series win.
There's less than half of the Play-In Round left after today. Currently, the projected end date is Monday, but it could move to Tuesday if a day off is taken.
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